Athletics, Broncos split first two games of series

Sunday

Jun 23, 2013 at 4:49 AMJun 23, 2013 at 4:53 AM

By Globe Sports Staff

The Dodge City Athletics split their first two games of their Jayhawk League weekend series against the El Dorado Broncos at McDonald Stadium.
The Athletics won the first game of the series Friday night by a 3-1 margin, with the Broncos shutting out Dodge City in Saturday's contest 5-0.
The Athletics' first three batters had two hits apiece Friday night, all but one of the hits recorded against El Dorado pitching. Woody Drexler, Darius Knight and Zach Jacobs went 2-for-4 and accounted for all of the Dodge City runs.
Drexler and Knight opened up the game with singles, then advanced a base on a double steal. Drexler eventually scored on a balk called on pitcher Jeremy McGowan. Drexler scored again in the third when he led off with a double, advanced to third on a single by Jacobs and scored when Bronco catcher Patrick Esposito's throw to try to get Jacobs out at second went into the outfield.
The final Dodge City run came in the seventh on back-to-back doubles by Knight and Jacobs.
Hasten Freeman threw 8 2/3 innings and gave up only one unearned run in the ninth despite the defense charged with five errors. Freeman gave up three hits and six walks while striking out five on the mound.
Cameron Reynolds recorded the final out to get the save.
The Athletics (7-11, 4-9) recorded only three hits off El Dorado pitcher Chance Cotton. Cotton didn't walk anyone and struck out nine in his nine innings of work. Only one Dodge City baserunner reached third base in the loss.
Broncos' centerfielder Tyler Ware went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs and three runs scored. Ware hit home runs in the second (off starting and losing pitcher Garrett Brummett) and eighth innings (off reliever Ty Thomas), and scored on a wild pitch after opening the fourth with a single for El Dorado (11-6, 8-6).
Brummett gave up three earned runs, seven hits and two walks while striking out one in 5 2/3 innings.
The two teams will play Sunday night before the Athletics play the Boulder (Colo.) Collegians in action Monday night at Cavalier Field.